U.S. patent number 9,692,163 [Application Number 15/251,592] was granted by the patent office on 2017-06-27 for crush rib housing for postive lock receptacle.
This patent grant is currently assigned to TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION. The grantee listed for this patent is TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Michael Edward Didonato, David T. Humphrey, Raymond L. Landon, III.
United States Patent |
9,692,163 |
Didonato , et al. |
June 27, 2017 |
Crush rib housing for postive lock receptacle
Abstract
A receptacle connector that includes a positive lock receptacle,
wherein the positive lock receptacle includes a wire receiving
portion; and a housing insertion portion, wherein the housing
insertion portion further includes a first electrical contact roll
and a second electrical contact roll; and a housing adapted to
receive the positive lock receptacle, wherein the housing includes:
an insulating housing body; and a first crush rib positioned within
the insulating housing body and a second crush rib positioned
within the insulating housing body, wherein the first and second
crush ribs engage and secure the first and second electrical
contact rolls respectively upon insertion of the housing insertion
portion of the positive lock receptacle into the housing.
Inventors: |
Didonato; Michael Edward
(Harrisburg, PA), Humphrey; David T. (Red Lion, PA),
Landon, III; Raymond L. (Elizabethtown, PA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION |
Berwyn |
PA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION
(Berwyn, PA)
|
Family
ID: |
59069629 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/251,592 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/506 (20130101); H01R 13/4223 (20130101); H01R
13/115 (20130101); H01R 4/70 (20130101); H01R
4/185 (20130101); H01R 13/641 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/115 (20060101); H01R 4/18 (20060101); H01R
4/48 (20060101); H01R 4/70 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Drawing No. C-521997, Assembly, Ultra-Pod, Receptacle, 6.35 [.250]
Series, Rev. C, Jan. 8, 2013, 1 page, TE Connectivity. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Harvey; James
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A receptacle connector, comprising: (a) a positive lock
receptacle, wherein the positive lock receptacle includes: (i) a
wire receiving portion; and (ii) a housing insertion portion,
wherein the housing insertion portion further includes a first
electrical contact roll and a second electrical contact roll; and
(b) a housing adapted to receive the positive lock receptacle,
wherein the housing includes: (i) an insulating housing body; and
(ii) a first crush rib positioned within the insulating housing
body and a second crush rib positioned within the insulating
housing body, (iii) wherein the first and second crush ribs engage
and secure the first and second electrical contact rolls
respectively upon insertion of the housing insertion portion of the
positive lock receptacle into the housing.
2. The connector of claim 1, further comprising a cap, where in the
cap connects to the housing and encloses the positive lock
receptacle therein.
3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the wire receiving portion of
the positive lock receptacle further includes a first carrier
strip, an insulation crimp, a wire barrel crimp, an ergonomic
retaining wall, and a second carrier strip.
4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the housing insertion portion
of the positive lock receptacle further includes a locking dimple
and a release latch.
5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the housing further includes a
mating end for mating with other connectors and receptacle
insertion end for receiving the housing insertion portion of the
positive lock receptacle.
6. The connector of claim 1, wherein the housing further includes a
positive lock CAM, a first contact stop, a second contact stop, and
a third contact stop formed therein.
7. A receptacle connector, comprising: (a) a positive lock
receptacle, wherein the positive lock receptacle includes: (i) a
wire receiving portion; and (ii) a housing insertion portion,
wherein the housing insertion portion further includes a first
electrical contact roll and a second electrical contact roll; (b) a
housing adapted to receive the positive lock receptacle, wherein
the housing includes: (i) an insulating housing body, wherein the
insulating body further includes a plurality of retaining tabs
formed thereon; and (ii) a first crush rib positioned within the
insulating housing body and a second crush rib positioned within
the insulating housing body, (iii) wherein the first and second
crush ribs engage and secure the first and second electrical
contact rolls respectively upon insertion of the housing insertion
portion of the positive lock receptacle into the housing; and (c) a
cap, wherein the cap includes a plurality of retaining arms formed
thereon that cooperate with the retaining tabs formed on the
insulating housing body for connecting the cap to the housing and
enclosing the positive lock receptacle therein.
8. The connector of claim 7, wherein the wire receiving portion of
the positive lock receptacle further includes a first carrier
strip, an insulation crimp, a wire barrel crimp, an ergonomic
retaining wall, and a second carrier strip.
9. The connector of claim 7, wherein the housing insertion portion
of the positive lock receptacle further includes a locking dimple
and a release latch.
10. The connector of claim 7, wherein the housing further includes
a mating end for mating with other connectors and receptacle
insertion end for receiving the housing insertion portion of the
positive lock receptacle.
11. The connector of claim 7, wherein the housing further includes
a positive lock CAM, a first contact stop, a second contact stop,
and a third contact stop formed therein.
12. A connector housing, comprising: (a) an insulating housing
body, wherein the insulating housing body is adapted to receive a
positive lock receptacle that includes first and second electrical
contact rolls; and (b) first and second crush ribs positioned
within the insulating housing body, (c) wherein the first and
second crush ribs are adapted to engage and secure the first and
second electrical contact rolls respectively upon insertion of the
positive lock receptacle into the housing.
13. The connector housing of claim 12, wherein the housing further
includes a mating end for mating with other connectors and
receptacle insertion end for receiving the housing insertion
portion of the positive lock receptacle.
14. The connector housing of claim 12, wherein the housing further
includes a positive lock CAM, a first contact stop, a second
contact stop, and a third contact stop formed therein.
15. The connector housing of claim 12, wherein the housing further
includes a plurality of retaining tabs formed thereon.
16. The connector housing of claim 15, further comprising a cap,
wherein the cap further includes a plurality of retaining arms
formed thereon that cooperate with the retaining tabs formed on the
housing for connecting the cap to the housing and enclosing the
positive lock receptacle therein.
17. The connector housing of claim 12, wherein housing includes
material that provides electrically insulating properties to the
housing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The described invention relates in general to electrical
connectors, and more specifically to an insulated housing that
includes multiple crush ribs for securely retaining a positive lock
receptacle that has been inserted into the insulated housing.
Receptacle connectors are commonly used devices in various
electronics applications. Such devices typically include two
primary components: (i) a terminal or receptacle for receiving and
terminating a wire; and (ii) a housing for receiving the
receptacle. When properly assembled, a de-insulated wire is
inserted into the receptacle, and the receptacle is inserted into
the housing. A protective cap may be placed over the housing to
enclose the wire and receptacle. The assembly is then connected
(i.e., mated) to another wire or electrical device, as may be
appropriate.
Certain receptacles are designed as "positive lock" receptacles and
include unique characteristics such as reduced mating forces and a
large locking dimple on flexible latch. This locking feature
acknowledges proper mating with an audible "snap" of the locking
dimple into a corresponding mating aperture. This design enhances
safety and reliability of the mated pair for isolated and hard to
reach areas. Until the release latch is depressed manually the
receptacle cannot be removed from the housing. Thus, the potential
of exposed live parts or disruption of critical circuitry due to
improperly seated or accidentally removed terminals is greatly
reduced. However, in certain situations, the assembled connector
may be under considerable force or tension that can result in the
receptacle being pulled loose from the housing, even in the
presence of a positive lock configuration. Accordingly, there is an
ongoing need for a housing that includes certain additional
structural features for effectively retaining the receptacle within
the housing following assembly of the receptacle connector.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following provides a summary of certain exemplary embodiments
of the present invention. This summary is not an extensive overview
and is not intended to identify key or critical aspects or elements
of the present invention or to delineate its scope.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a first
receptacle connector is provided. This receptacle connector
includes a positive lock receptacle, wherein the positive lock
receptacle includes a wire receiving portion; and a housing
insertion portion, wherein the housing insertion portion further
includes a first electrical contact roll and a second electrical
contact roll; and a housing adapted to receive the positive lock
receptacle, wherein the housing includes an insulating housing
body; and a first crush rib positioned within the insulating
housing body and a second crush rib positioned within the
insulating housing body, wherein the first and second crush ribs
engage and secure the first and second electrical contact rolls
respectively upon insertion of the housing insertion portion of the
positive lock receptacle into the housing.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a
second receptacle connector is provided. This receptacle connector
includes a positive lock receptacle, wherein the positive lock
receptacle includes a wire receiving portion; and a housing
insertion portion, wherein the housing insertion portion further
includes a first electrical contact roll and a second electrical
contact roll; a housing adapted to receive the positive lock
receptacle, wherein the housing includes: an insulating housing
body, wherein the insulating body further includes a plurality of
retaining tabs formed thereon; and a first crush rib positioned
within the insulating housing body and a second crush rib
positioned within the insulating housing body, wherein the first
and second crush ribs engage and secure the first and second
electrical contact rolls respectively upon insertion of the housing
insertion portion of the positive lock receptacle into the housing;
and a cap, wherein the cap includes a plurality of retaining arms
formed thereon that cooperate with the retaining tabs formed on the
insulating housing body for connecting the cap to the housing and
enclosing the positive lock receptacle therein.
In yet another aspect of this invention, a connector housing is
provided. This connector housing includes an insulating housing
body, wherein the insulating housing body is adapted to receive a
positive lock receptacle that includes first and second electrical
contact rolls; and first and second crush ribs positioned within
the insulating housing body, wherein the first and second crush
ribs are adapted to engage and secure the first and second
electrical contact rolls respectively upon insertion of the
positive lock receptacle into the housing.
Additional features and aspects of the present invention will
become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading
and understanding the following detailed description of the
exemplary embodiments. As will be appreciated by the skilled
artisan, further embodiments of the invention are possible without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly,
the drawings and associated descriptions are to be regarded as
illustrative and not restrictive in nature.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a
part of the specification, schematically illustrate one or more
exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with the
general description given above and detailed description given
below, serve to explain the principles of the invention, and
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a front, perspective view of a positive lock receptacle
in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the positive lock receptacle of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a receptacle housing in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 4 is a rear view of the receptacle housing of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the positive lock receptacle
of FIG. 1 properly inserted into and engaging the receptacle
housing of FIG. 3 to form a connector;
FIG. 6 is a front view of the connector of FIG. 5; and
FIG. 7 is a top, perspective view of multiple positive lock
receptacles being inserted into multiple receptacle housings,
wherein a protective cap is also provided.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are now described
with reference to the Figures. Reference numerals are used
throughout the detailed description to refer to the various
elements and structures. Although the following detailed
description contains many specifics for the purposes of
illustration, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
that many variations and alterations to the following details are
within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following
embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of
generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed
invention.
As previously stated, the present invention provides an insulated
connector housing that includes multiple crush ribs for securely
retaining a positive lock receptacle that has been inserted into
the connector housing. With reference to the Figures, FIGS. 1 and 2
provide illustrations of an exemplary positive lock terminal or
receptacle for use with the connector housing of this invention. As
shown in FIGS. 1-2, exemplary positive lock terminal/receptacle 100
includes insulation barrel 102 and housing insertion portion 104.
Insulation barrel 102 further includes first carrier strip 110,
insulation crimp 112, wire barrel crimp 114, ergonomic retention
wall 116, and second carrier 118. Housing insertion portion 104
includes first electrical contact roll 120, second electrical
contact roll 122, locking dimple 124, and release latch 126.
FIGS. 3-6 provide illustrations of a crush rib connector housing
200 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, wherein crush rib connector housing 200 is adapted to
receive positive lock receptacle 100 and securely retain positive
lock receptacle 100 therein. As shown in FIGS. 3-6, connector
housing 200 includes mating end 202 for joining or mating with
other connectors and receptacle insertion end (wire exit) 204 for
receiving housing insertion portion 104 of positive lock receptacle
100. Connector housing 200 further includes insulating body 210
(the material of which provides electrically insulating properties
to connector housing 200), retaining tabs 212, first crush rib 214,
second crush rib 216, positive lock CAM 218, first contact stop
220, second contact stop 222, and third contact stop 224, all of
which serve to properly position housing insertion portion 104
within connector housing 200. As shown in FIG. 7, protective cap
300 includes body 302 and retaining arms 304 formed thereon that
cooperate with retaining tabs 212 formed on the housing body 210
for connecting cap 300 to housing 200 and enclosing positive lock
receptacle 100 therein.
When properly assembled, an electrical wire is terminated to
positive lock receptacle 100, which is then inserted into connector
housing as shown in FIG. 7. Upon exerting sufficient force, first
and second electrical contact rolls 120 and 122 engage first and
second crush ribs 214 and 216, respectively. During the insertion
process, crush ribs 214 and 216 deform, thereby ensuring a tight
and secure fit between electrical contact rolls 120 and 122 and
connector housing 200 without creating significant stress on the
contact rolls. Cap 300 is then attached to connector housing 200 to
form the complete receptacle connector.
While the present invention has been illustrated by the description
of exemplary embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have
been described in certain detail, there is no intention to restrict
or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such
detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear
to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its
broader aspects is not limited to any of the specific details,
representative devices and methods, and/or illustrative examples
shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such
details without departing from the spirit or scope of the general
inventive concept.
* * * * *